What Are Reflexive Pronouns: Definition, Rules, Examples, and Exercises

What do words like 'myself', 'yourself', and 'themselves' have in common? They are reflexive pronouns. In English grammar, reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing. Words like 'myself', 'yourself', 'himself', 'herself', and 'themselves' are commonly used in everyday communication, both in speaking and writing. In this guide, you will learn what reflexive pronouns are, how and when to use them, along with clear examples, common mistakes, and simple exercises to help you practice and improve your grammar skills.

Table of Contents

• What Are Reflexive Pronouns?
• List of Reflexive Pronouns
• How and When to Use Reflexive Pronouns?
• Difference Between Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns
• Tips for Learning Reflexive Pronouns
• Common Mistakes with Reflexive Pronouns
• Examples of Reflexive Pronouns in Sentences
• Reflexive Pronouns Exercises

What Are Reflexive Pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are a special type of pronoun that refer back to the subject of a sentence. The word 'reflexive' comes from Latin and is related to 'reflect', meaning the action in a sentence reflects back on the person or thing performing it.

In simple terms, a reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. It shows that the person who performs the action is also the one who receives it. All reflexive pronouns in English end in “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural).

For example, she looked at herself in the mirror.

In this sentence, “she” is the subject and “herself” is the object; both refer to the same person, so a reflexive pronoun is used.

List of Reflexive Pronouns 

In English, reflexive pronouns are formed by adding “-self” (for singular) or “-selves” (for plural) to personal pronouns. In English, there are 9 reflexive pronouns. Each reflexive pronoun corresponds to a specific personal pronoun. 

 

How and When to Use Reflexive Pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. They show that the action performed by the subject comes back to the subject itself. Here are the main rules to understand how and when to use them:

1. When the Subject and Object Are the Same 
   The most important use of reflexive pronouns is when the person doing and the person receiving the action are the same. Without a reflexive pronoun, the sentence would either sound odd or create ambiguity.
   Examples:

• • Jack decided to reward himself with dinner. Here, Jack is the subject and ‘himself’ is the object, both that refer to the same person. 

  • She poured herself a cup of tea every morning. Here ‘She’ is the subject and ‘herself’ is the object. 

2. As a Direct Object
   A reflexive pronoun acts as a direct object when the subject and the direct object are one and the same.
   Examples:

• • Jack rewarded himself.

  • She blamed herself for the mistake.

3. As an Indirect Object
   Reflexive pronouns can also show for whom the action is done.
   Examples:

• • He knitted himself a sweater.

  • She poured herself a cup of tea.

4. In Prepositional Phrases (Adverbial Use)
   Reflexive pronouns are often used after prepositions like by, for, at, in, and on to give more detail about the action.
   Examples:

• • He went for a walk by himself.

  • She kept the secret to herself.

  • The dog barked at itself in the mirror.

When used with 'by', it means that the action was done alone or without help. For example, “I learnt to drive by myself.”

5. With Singular “They”
   In modern English, “they” is sometimes used for one person (gender-neutral). The reflexive form is usually “themselves”.
   Examples:

• • Every student should check themselves before the exam.

  • A person should take care of themselves.
    
    

Difference Between Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

Reflexive and emphatic pronouns look the same, but they are used differently. Reflexive pronouns are necessary for the sentence, while emphatic pronouns only add extra emphasis. The table below shows the differences between reflexive pronouns and emphatic pronouns. 

 

Tips for Learning Reflexive Pronouns

Learning reflexive pronouns becomes easier with a few simple tips and regular practice. Here are some tips you can follow to learn reflexivepronouns. 

• Match the pronoun with the subject: Always check the subject of the sentence first, then choose the reflexive pronoun that matches it in person, number, and gender.
  He → himself
  We → ourselves
  They → themselves 

• Use the removal test for emphatic pronouns: If you remove the -self / -selves word and the sentence still makes sense, it is being used for an emphatic pronoun, not a reflexive one.
  Example: I made this cake myself → I made this cake

• Use “by + reflexive pronoun” to show doing something alone: The phrase "by myself / by yourself / by himself" means doing something without help.
  Example: I learned to swim by myself

• Avoid incorrect forms: Do not use non-standard forms like ‘theirselves’ or ‘hisself’.
  Correct form: themselves, himself
  Incorrect form: theirselves, hisself

• Never use reflexive pronouns as the subject: Reflexive pronouns cannot be used as the subject of a sentence.

• Use substitution to check correctness: If unsure whether to use a reflexive or regular pronoun, replace the reflexive pronoun with a regular pronoun (me, him, her, them). If it sounds better, do not use a reflexive pronoun.
  
  

Common Mistakes with Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are easy to learn, but students often make a few common mistakes. Understanding these errors will help you use them correctly.

• Using reflexive pronouns when not needed: Do not use reflexive pronouns if the subject and object are different.
  Incorrect: John called myself
  Correct: John called me

• Using reflexive pronouns as the subject: Reflexive pronouns cannot be used as the subject of a sentence.
  Incorrect: Myself will complete the work.
  Correct: I will complete the work.

• Confusing reflexive and emphatic pronouns: Remember, reflexive pronouns are necessary, while emphatic pronouns only add emphasis.
  Example: She hurt herself (reflexive)
  She completed the work herself (emphasis)

• Using incorrect forms: Avoid non-standard or incorrect forms of reflexive pronouns.
  Incorrect: theirselves, hisself
  Correct: themselves, himself

• Overusing reflexive pronouns: Do not add reflexive pronouns unnecessarily.
  Incorrect: I enjoyed the movie myself. (not needed unless emphasising)
  Correct: I enjoyed the movie.

• Using reflexive pronouns with prepositions incorrectly: Use reflexive pronouns after prepositions only when they refer back to the subject.
  Correct: She kept the secret to herself
  Incorrect: She kept the secret to her (if referring to the same person)

Examples of Reflexive Pronouns in Sentences

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. They show that the action comes back to the subject. Here are some examples in sentences:

• I taught myself to play the piano.

• You should believe in yourself.

• He hurt himself while playing cricket.

• She prepared herself for the exam.

• The dog cleaned itself after getting wet.

• We enjoyed ourselves at the picnic.

• You all should organise yourselves properly.

• They introduced themselves to the new teacher.
  
  

Reflexive Pronouns Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in each blank with the correct reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, or themselves):

1. Why can't you do it ___________?

2. Dave and Cian were trying to bake a cake all by ___________ for their mother's birthday.

3. Casper was not able to clear the table all by ___________, so his cousins helped him.

4. The teacher asked the students to work out the problems by ___________.

5. It is crucial that every one of you take responsibility for taking care of ___________.

6. I painted the entire room by ___________. No one helped me.

7. She cooked the entire dinner ___________ without any help.

8. The machine repaired ___________ automatically after the reset.

9. We really enjoyed ___________ at the festival last weekend.

10. He decided to treat ___________ to a movie after working so hard all week.

Answers: 

1. yourself

2. themselves

3. himself

4. themselves

5. yourselves

6. myself

7. herself 

8. itself

9. ourselves

10. himself

Exercise 2: Choose the correct option

Select the correct answer:

1. John called (me / myself).

2. She looked at (her / herself) in the mirror.

3. They introduced (them / themselves) to the class.

4. I will do it (me / myself).

5. He blamed (him / himself) for the mistake.

Answers: 

1. me

2. herself

3. themselves

4. myself

5. himself